As we noted then, West Nile is now present in each of the lower 48 states. As the Guardian notes, 43 states have so far this year reported people, birds, or mosquitoes infected with the virus. But no place is as affected as Dallas.

“Right now, Texas has half the West Nile cases in the nation,” Dr David Lakey, the Texas state health commissioner, told local reporters this week. “Dallas County has half of the cases in the state of Texas. So, about a quarter of all the cases in the United States are in this county. So, this isn’t business as usual.”

According to Texas department of state health services figures, 381 West Nile cases have been confirmed in Texas this year, including 16 related deaths – on track for the most cases since the disease first reached the state a decade ago.

The state’s solution is simple, but controversial. Tomorrow night, twin-engine planes will fly over the county, releasing a pesticide called Duet.

There are no studies examining whether the use of Anvil to control mosquitoes has caused any long-term health effects in humans.

Anvil is applied at very low concentrations to control mosquitoes. It is unlikely that adverse health effects will occur as a result of this use for most people, but some individuals may experience health effects.

I understand that people in Texas are often loathe to accept advice from the residents of New York, but, come on. We’re only talking about public health here, not something important like salsa.